NHL Draft 2013: Ranking the Top 10 Sleeper Picks

The fortunes of hundreds of young hockey players from around the globe will change following the 2013 NHL draft.

But even with the advanced metrics being used by NHL scouting staffs, selecting teenaged hockey players at June’s draft remains an imperfect science.

There are very few players­­ in each draft class­ who are guaranteed to excel at the NHL level.

How these young men develop as professional hockey players, particularly goaltenders and defensemen, who tend to take several years longer to develop than forwards, is not much more than an educated guess.

The following list includes some well-known players, but I am labeling all of them as sleepers, as they should be higher than their final Central Scouting rankings.

Players at the top of the list are as close to a sure thing as there can be when projecting potential from this age group.

Given the above criteria, in ascending order, here are the top 10 sleeper picks in the 2013 NHL entry draft.

10. Michael Giugovaz

Michael Giugovaz had his ups and downs playing for the Peterborough Petes in the OHL this past season. The Petes were not a very good club despite getting hot at the end of the season and almost making the playoffs.

Because the Petes were so poor defensively, Giugovaz’s numbers were not eye-popping, with a 3.81 goals-against average and a .896 save percentage.

However, Giugovaz will likely continue to grow both physically and skill-wise. He was brilliant at times for the Petes and was recently named to the OHL’s all-rookie second team.

He has very good athletic skills, and with some stronger defensive support, his numbers should be much better next season.

9. Vyacheslav Leschenko

Richard Wolowicz/Freestyle Photo/Getty ImagesRussian hockey fan

Vyacheslav Leschenko had his draft ranking rise more than 70 places from the midterm to the final spot. The 6’0” right winger played in his native Russia last season and improved over the course of the season.

Given the rise of the KHL, it is always difficult to predict if young Russian players will commit to playing in North America once they become pros.

Leschenko’s impressive rise in the rankings, combined with his blossoming offensive talent, points to him being a potential sleeper pick for those organizations looking for some speed and depth on the wing

8. Adam Tambellini

Adam Tambellini will be suiting up for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux next year, so his NHL team will not see him for a few years while he develops his game.

Tambellini has not played against top competition to date, but this will change in the coming seasons. He has an excellent hockey pedigree and is the son of former NHLer and Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini.

The 6’3” Tambellini has an excellent shot and features an impressive all-around game. He should only improve under the guidance of the excellent coaching staff at North Dakota.

6. Dillon Heatherington

Dillon Heatherington has seen his final draft ranking improve, and if he continues to develop, he could be a second-round steal. He is an above-average skater and can make that important first pass out of his own end.

He has become a top-pairing defenseman with the Swift Current Broncos, and his ability to play big minutes in the WHL bodes well for the future.

At 6’4” and 200 lbs., Heatherington has the size that most NHL scouts covet in defensive prospects.